Japan's Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket suffers another test setback

Nov 26 (NHK) - An explosion and fire have halted a combustion test of Japan's new Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which conducted the test, said a combustion abnormality occurred at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 49 seconds after testing of the second stage of the rocket began.

The test had been scheduled to last for about 120 seconds.

Local police and fire authorities say there are no reports of injuries. JAXA is investigating the situation.

Epsilon S is one of Japan's mainstay rockets being developed by JAXA and others. In July last year, an explosion occurred due to abnormal combustion during a test of the second stage of the rocket at a site in the northeastern prefecture of Akita. The blast took place about 57 seconds after ignition.

JAXA concluded that last year's explosion was due to melting and scattering of part of the ignition device, which caused insulating material in a pressure vessel to be damaged and led to the abnormal combustion.

The agency said it took measures to prevent a recurrence before Tuesday's retest.

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